There is another reason the trick works so well: timing.
If the owner places the treat near the phone too early and waits for a long time, the dog may lose interest.
If the reward is visible but the photograph isn't taken quickly enough, the dog may move.
If the owner starts calling the dog's name repeatedly, the dog may look at the owner rather than the camera.
The best photographs often happen when the setup is ready before the dog's attention is captured.
Phone ready.
Composition ready.
Dogs positioned.
Treat in place.
Click.
That's it.
Pet photography is often less about forcing an animal to hold a pose and more about being ready when the animal naturally gives you the moment you want.
You Can Turn the Idea Into a Real Training Exercise
The funny salami trick can also be adapted into something more useful.
Instead of simply using food to make a dog look toward the camera, owners can teach a cue such as “look,” “watch me,” or another consistent signal.
The American Kennel Club recommends teaching attention behaviors by first guiding the dog's gaze with a reward and then gradually transitioning toward a verbal or visual cue.
For example, an owner could begin by holding a small treat near the face.
When the dog looks toward the desired position, the owner can mark the behavior with praise or a consistent marker word and provide the reward.
After repeated practice, the food can become less visible.
Eventually, the dog can learn to respond to the cue itself.
That means the dog isn't simply following a piece of food forever.
It's learning a behavior.
This distinction matters.
The goal of reward-based training is not to make dogs permanently dependent on visible treats. The American Kennel Club recommends gradually fading the food lure once the dog understands the behavior and using praise, toys, play or other rewards as alternatives.
Don't Turn the Photo Session Into a Battle
One of the biggest mistakes people can make when photographing their pets is becoming frustrated when the animal doesn't cooperate.
The dog doesn't understand why everyone suddenly needs it to sit perfectly.
It doesn't know that you've already taken seventeen bad pictures.
It doesn't care that the sunset is disappearing.
And it definitely doesn't understand why you are becoming increasingly desperate to get “just one good photo.”
From the dog's perspective, you're simply behaving strangely.
That's why keeping the session relaxed is important.
Reward the behavior you want.
Keep the sessions short.
Don't punish the dog for moving.
And if the dog loses interest, take a break.
Reward-based methods are strongly supported by veterinary behavior professionals. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior states that current scientific evidence supports the use of reward-based training methods for dog training, including behavior problems.
So the funniest part of this photograph may actually contain a useful lesson:
You don't have to force cooperation.
Sometimes you just have to make cooperation worthwhile.
The “Camera Trick” Can Work With Toys Too
What if your dog isn't particularly interested in food?
The same concept can still work.
Some dogs are much more excited by toys.
A squeaky toy can be positioned near the camera.
A favorite ball can be held just above the phone.
A beloved plush toy can be placed beside the lens.
The principle remains exactly the same.
Find something the dog naturally wants to look at.
Move it to the position where you want the dog's eyes to be.
Take the photograph at the right moment.
This is another reason understanding your dog's individual personality is so valuable.
The perfect photographic lure for one dog might be completely useless for another.
One dog may stare at a tennis ball for ten seconds.
Another may barely notice it but immediately respond to a tiny treat.
There is no universal answer.
The best reward is the one your particular dog finds meaningful.
Why This Trick Feels So Funny
Part of what makes the photograph so entertaining is the contrast between what humans see and what the dogs see.
Humans see two perfectly behaved dachshunds apparently posing for a photograph.
We might imagine them thinking:
“Are we ready?”
“Should we smile?”
“Is this our good side?”
But the reality is much simpler.
They are probably thinking:
“FOOD.”
That's it.